Apr 22, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) battle for a loose puck during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
- The Colorado Avalanche are -175 home favorites over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference final on Tuesday, May 31
- Edmonton has won four games in a row
- Below, find the Oilers vs Avalanche Game 1 odds, picks, and best bets
The series everyone is waiting for gets underway Tuesday, as the Colorado Avalanche play host to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference final. This superstar-laden series features Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar of the Avs against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of the Oil.
The Avalanche are in the Stanley Cup final four for the first time since 2002. Meanwhile, Edmonton is arriving at this stage for the first time since 2006.
It’s the hometown Avalanche who are getting the nod from oddsmakers in the NHL betting line for Game 1. Colorado is set as the -175 favorites. Edmonton is 3-1 straight up over the club’s past four road games.
Oilers vs Avalanche Odds Game 1
| Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | +1.5 (-150) | O 6.5 (-135) | +150 |
| Colorado Avalanche | -1.5 (+130) | U 6.5 (+115) | -175 |
Odds as of May 27th at Caesars Sportsbook.
The puck is set to drop for Game 1 inside Ball Arena at 8:00 pm ET. Catch the action on TNT or Sportsnet in Canada.
Following the NHL betting trends, Colorado’s -175 moneyline translates into an implied probability of victory of 63.64%. On a $10 wager, bettors can expect a return on investment of $15.70 should the Avs come through with the win.
CONNOR MCDAVID WITH THE GAME WINNER!
OILERS ADVANCE! pic.twitter.com/VqothPhhes
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) May 27, 2022
NHL public betting is showing that the Avalanche are also getting the majority of the love. It’s displaying that 57% of the bets placed against the spread are on the Avalanche -1.5. Moneyline splits are also showing 57% of the bets are on the Avalanche at -175 odds. In terms of the total, 88% of the public bets are on the Over (6.5).
In the Stanley Cup odds, the Avs are currently the +120 favorites. At NHL odds of +550, the Oilers are the second-longest shot on the board among the five teams still in the hunt for Lord Stanley’s mug.
Edmonton vs Colorado Recent Results
| Date | Home-Away | Moneyline | Puck Line | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/14/2019 | Edmonton 6 Colorado 2 | EDM | EDM | Over |
| 11/27/2019 | Colorado 4 Edmonton 1 | COL | COL | Under |
| 3/21/2022 | Colorado 3 Edmonton 2 (OT) | COL | EDM | Under |
| 4/9/2022 | Edmonton 1 Colorado 2 (SO) | COL | EDM | Under |
| 4/22/2022 | Edmonton 6 Colorado 5 | EDM | EDM | Over |
McDavid is the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner and the second betting choice in the Hart Trophy odds. Draisaitl is past winner of both of these awards. He collected 17 points for Edmonton in the second round against Calgary. Makar, who scored 28 goals during the regular season, is the -264 favorite in the Norris Trophy odds this season.
Many people are excited to see the star-studded matchup between Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon in the Western Conference Final.
MacKinnon isn’t one of them 😅
H/T @Peter_Baugh pic.twitter.com/xCjQquegwl
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 30, 2022
Both MacKinnon and Makar have a team-leading 13 points for Colorado in the playoffs.
This is the third playoff series between the two clubs but the first since 1998. Each team has one victory in the past meetings.
Edmonton vs Colorado Injury Report
Defensemen Samuel Girard (broken sternum) and Ryan Murray (broken hand) are out for the Avalanche.
In the 3 games since Samuel Girard was injured, Bowen Byram has 5 assists and has increased his ice time gradually in each game. Talk about stepping up!
In 10 playoff games this year, he has 6 points (all assists). I think eventually some of his shots will go in as well.
— 303 Hockey (@303Hockey) May 28, 2022
Forward Kyle Turris (upper body) is out for the Oilers.
Smith Holds Final Four Experience
It was long ago, but at least Edmonton goalie Mike Smith can show some conference final work on his resume. He was the goalie for the Arizona Coyotes when they lost the 2012 Western Conference final to the Los Angeles Kings.
Whether you’re an Oilers fan or not, this edit of Mike Smith’s return to Game 3 was a thing of beauty by /r/hockey’s /u/lolwtferic @lolwtferic #LetsGoOilers #Flames #CGYvsEDM pic.twitter.com/uaBqgt7Cs0
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) May 30, 2022
Smith started two regular-season games against Colorado, going 1-0-1 with a 2.99 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.
Oilers vs Avalanche Projected Starting Goalies
| Team | Goalie | Record | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oilers | Mike Smith | 8-3 | .927 | 2.70 |
| Avalanche | Darcy Kuemper | 6-2 | .904 | 2.44 |
Avs goalie Darcy Kuemper was 37-12-4 with a 2.51 GAA, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in regular-season play.
Darcy Kuemper on this sequence is something pic.twitter.com/au4Q8ZxtNI
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 28, 2022
During the regular season, Kuemper played all three games against Edmonton. He was 2-1-0 with a 2.62 GAA and .921 save percentage.
Oilers vs Avalanche Game 1 Prediction
Colorado is 2-0 straight up and 1-1 against the puckline in Game 1 through the first two rounds of the playoffs. But the Avs are just 3-2 SU at home during the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are 0-2 both SU and ATS in Game 1 of their two previous series. As well, Edmonton has surrendered 13 goals in those two losses. Edmonton is 4-2 SU on the road in the playoffs.
“It’s really not about the storylines… At the end of the day it’s Avalanche vs. Oilers and it is going to be a great series. We are looking forward to it.”#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/XRk9WX63xJ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 30, 2022
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Edmonton win one of the first two games in Colorado but it probably won’t be Game 1. The depth of the Avs should make the difference.
If you’re looking for a secondary play, four of the last five Oilers have gone over 6.5 goals. Three of the last four Colorado games have also exceeded that total.
Colorado’s power play (34.5%) is #1 in the playoffs. Edmonton’s 4.33 goals-per game leads all playoff teams.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche ML (-175)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.